Background Data:The Air War Game—Battle of BritainRandy H. KatzCS Division, EECS Dept.University of California, BerkeleySpring 2007Background History• May 1940: German Blitzkrieg in the West– German mechanized warfare shocks the Allies– Holland, Belgium fall in days, France defeated in6 weeks– British Expeditionary Force (BEF) miraculouslyescapes at Dunkirk, leaving most of itsequipment behind• Operation Sea Lion: Germany poised toinvade England– Triumphant Luftwaffe operates from airbase inNorthern France through NorwayAir War GameEarly War Version• Britain on defense– Defend on the sea and in the air• Germany on offense– Neutralize the Royal Navy and softenthe defenses in preparation for anamphibious assault against SoutheasternEnglandAir Defenseof EnglandTactical BombingDecisions Made in the 1930s• Have the sides invested in the righttechnologies to achieve their goals?– Planes and pilots– Strategic vs. tactical capabilities– Offensive vs. defensive focus– Detection measures and countermeasures– Interception methodsBattle of Britain: The MoviePlanes vs. PlanesUp to550027.9K1212760 (loaded)270 @ 19.61350x22200110026.7K7451860 (tanks)265 @ 16.5236 @ 14.51000x2551026.5K1553286 @ 16K239 cruising1200x23968lbs24K199195 max118 cruising140032K5400-19.6K/9.2 min349250 cruising1100x236.5K4103510ft/min348 @ 14.5233 cruising117534K5750-20K/9min355117535Kft460mi @ 175mph2750ft/min327 mph @18K ft1300HP Max Speed Climb Range CeilingBombLoadHurricane IICSpitfire IAME BF 109EME BF 110GJU 87D StukaJU 88DO 17zHE 111Hurricane IICSpitfire IAME BF 109EME BF 110GJU 87JU 88DO 17HE 111RAdio Detection And Ranging• Over the horizondetection• Based on the principleof radio reflectionRobertWatson-WattShorter wavelengths, higher frequencies,greater precision in rangingRotating antenna for better directional accuracySuitable for nightinterceptionChain Home vs.Chain Home Low30 MHz, 10m waves,125 mi range@ 15-20,000 ft200 MHz, 1.5m waves40 mi range5000 ft alt.Ground Control InterceptBritish Defense SystemWhatReallyHappened–Part IWhatReallyHappened–Part IIWhatReallyHappened–Part IIIWhatReallyHappened–Part IVNext Week: Strategic BombingOffensive vs. Germany• Fighters vs. Bombers– What are good targets?• Strategic vs. tactical plans– Precision bombing• Daylight vs. nightime raids, formation flying, escorts• Minimizing plane and crew losses while maximizingenemy destruction– How do you intercept attackers?• Where is the enemy? Radar to observe planes at adistance, searchlights to track plans nearby• How to confuse the defender as to attacker’s plansand intentions?• Getting the fighters to arrive at where you expect tothe bombers to
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